English

29 Jul — 24 Aug 2024

Southbank Theatre, The Sumner

A small classroom in Iran is the birthplace for a big-hearted comedy in which the laughs fly thick and fast. Winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, English is a story of falling in love with your own voice.

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This is rated 5 out of 5 stars

‘A stunning play about hope, belonging and desire.’

New York Theatre Guide
This is rated 0 out of 5 stars

‘A rich new play ... both contemplative and comic.’

The New York Times

ABOUT THE SHOW

Marjan thinks it’s one of the greatest things two people can do together: speak English.

But her motley class of adult learners each have their own relationship to this new language – for some it means opportunities abroad, for others a way to grow closer to grandchildren. Whatever their motives, these strangers will find tensions flaring, connections forming and unspoken truths emerging as they hurtle towards their final exam.

A small classroom in Iran is the birthplace for a big-hearted comedy in which the laughs fly thick and fast. From the absurd conversations you’ll only hear in a language lesson to the hilarity of serious subjects lost in translation, English is a masterclass in contemporary playwriting and features a lovingly rendered ensemble of characters that will carve out a place in your heart.

Directed by our Resident Director Tasnim Hossain (I Wanna Be Yours) and starring Osamah Sami (ABC’s Savage River), English explores the choices that people who seek a new home must make, and all that they lose and gain along the way.

Winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, English is a story of falling in love with your own voice.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible

  • Hearing Assistance

  • Audio Described

  • Tactile Tour

  • Open Captioning

  • Closed Captioning

  • Auslan Interpreted

Performance Type Performance Date(s)
Audio Described
by Vision Australia
Saturday 10 August at 2pm
Tuesday 13 August at 6.30pm

Tactile Tour
at venue
Saturday 10 August at 2pm (Tactile tour commences at 1pm)
Open Captioning
via screen
Saturday 17 August at 2pm
Closed Captioning
via GoTheatrical App
Saturday 17 August at 2pm
Auslan Interpreted
by Auslan Stage Left
Tuesday 20 August at 6.30pm
Artwork for Maia Abbas

Maia Abbas

Elham

Artwork for Delaram Ahmadi

Delaram Ahmadi

Goli

Artwork for Salme Geransar

Salme Geransar

Marjan

Artwork for Marjan Mesbahi

Marjan Mesbahi

Roya

Osamah Sami

Osamah Sami

Omid

Artwork for Sanaz Toossi

Sanaz Toossi

Writer

Artwork for Tasnim Hossain

Tasnim Hossain

Director

Artwork for Kat Chan

Kat Chan

Set & Costume Designer

Artwork for Paul Lim

Paul Lim

Lighting Designer

Artwork for Hamed Sadeghi

Hamed Sadeghi

Composer

Marco Cher-Gibard

Marco Cher-Gibard

Sound Designer

Artwork for Mark Wong

Mark Wong

Voice & Text Coach

Artwork for Afsaneh Torabi

Afsaneh Torabi

Assistant Director

The Sumner

140 Southbank Boulevard

Southbank, Victoria 3006